“Father and Son” sculpture
The “Father and Son” sculpture is a recognizable symbol of Tartu, depicting a completely nude man and boy walking down the street. This unusual monument is one of those places worth stopping by for a memorable photograph.
History of the Monument
The sculpture was completed in 1987 and was originally intended to be installed on one of the streets of Tallinn. However, for reasons history does not fully disclose, the “Father and Son” monument was installed in Tartu instead. The city administration acquired it in the autumn of 2001, and the grand opening of the sculpture took place on June 1, 2004, timed to coincide with Children’s Day.
The creator of the “Father and Son” monument is the renowned Estonian sculptor Ülo Õun (1944 – 1988). His widow, Inara, recalls that Õun portrayed himself in the image of the man, while their one-and-a-half-year-old son, Kristjan, served as the model for the boy. Interestingly, in the sculptor’s vision, both the adult and the child are of the same height, with the difference between them only evident in the nuances of their body structures.
The “Father and Son” sculpture is installed right in the middle of the sidewalk on Küüni Street, leading from the Vanemuine Theatre to the Town Hall Square. Thus, the pair has become ordinary pedestrians, albeit standing out among other passersby.
Location on the Map
Other Interesting Sites
- The largest sacred building in Estonia is the Tartu Cathedral. Today, it houses the University of Tartu Museum.
- The Tourist Information Center is located in Tartu’s Town Hall. Here, you can get help planning your route and find out about events happening in the city.
- To learn about the city’s history and much more, visit the exhibitions at Tartu Museums. Choose the one that suits you best from our list!